Apr 22 2013
Finally, I got ACT Fiber broadband connection. Here is the speed test result:
Comparison of SpeedTest Results – ACT and BSNL (Bangalore)
Ping results are coming amazingly on ACT.
Update – 28-Apr-2013 – As requested by one my blog reader, I am sharing the same result with a Netherlands server.
Speed Test using a Netherlands Server
As you notice, the PING Tests are not attractive.
Dec 19 2012
In response to my earlier blog post on Installing and Configuring BSNL EVDO Data Card (Capitel Model), I have received couple of comments asking for help setting up the same on Windows 8 Operating System.
Good News: I am already using the same BSNL EVDO Data Card on Windows 8 system. I have tested it with both Desktop PC and Laptop in Bangalore. It works perfectly on Windows 8 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
Bad News: This is a bit tricky process, which I could figure out with my personal troubleshooting experiments. You need to be bit technical and *dumb* user to make this work. Refer the last section of this post to see a dumbest trick.
Let me run through the steps on setting up BSNL EVDO Capital USB Data Card on Windows 8 now. Let us assume that you have inserted the USB Data Card for the first time on your Windows 8 and undergone the default steps to install the software. At the end of the setup wizard, you will be prompted to reboot your system.
It may happen somethings that the USB Device itself my have problem. Please make sure that the Device is working fine. Verifying the device once on Windows XP or Windows 7 will give you confidence to go ahead with below procedure.
Once you have rebooted your system, as shown below, you will get the Capitel Connect icon on your desktop:
Double click on the Capitel Connect (CC) icon. The CC program will show up on your screen with “No Device” message, as seen below:
The program starts now! Launch the Device Manager (Press Windows Key + R, type “devmgmt.msc” without double quotes, hit Enter key). The Device Manager will show you some devices with yellow exclamation symbol, as shown below:
The problem is reported for the device names – Qualcomm CDMA Technologies MSM. To fix this problem, right click on one of these icons and select Update Driver Software:
You will get the below screen, which will ask you to select the preferred way to search for driver software:
Select the “Browse my computer for driver software” option. The next screen will ask you the location of software:
As I am using Windows 8 64-bit, I have selected this path – C:\Program Files (x86)\Capitel Connect\Driver\VISTA64. In case of Windows 8 32-bit, please select the path – C:\Program Files (x86)\Capitel Connect\Driver\VISTA. I may sound stupid, but I already tried using the Windows 7 path (C:\Program Files (x86)\Capitel Connect\Driver\Win7_64), which did not work for me.
This step will install the appropriate driver and your count of exclamation marks will go down, as seen below:
Repeat the above steps to Update the Driver Software for each Qualcomm entries one by one. At the end, your Device Manager will look like below:
Once all the drivers are installed correctly, try launching the Capitel Connect program from your desktop shortcut. You will get the “Registered” message, instead of the earlier “No Device” message. If you are still getting “No Device” message, then refer the Dumbest trick at the end of this blog post, which works most of the time for me.
Click on the last Settings icon, to configure the Connection Profile. Refer my earlier post for step by step instructions. Once you are done with Connection Profile, you can click the 3G Toolbar icon to hook up to Internet. Make a note that the About screen, shows me the Capitel Connection software as Version 2.2.5.1.2.85. Hope you are also using the same product.
And, here is the View Connection Status, which indicates that it supports upto 3.1Mbps of speed. Please note that the actual speed will vary based on the CDMA Tower availability near your area.
I hope this detailed blog post will help some of the Windows 8 users who are using the BSNL EVDO Capitel Connect device.
Update: Being a 3rd Party product, it is hard to get support. Sometimes (actually Always for me) even calling Customer Care does not help. BSNL should provide the updated drivers which are compatible with new operating systems on their website. I checked the Capitel Website, which has this product listed. There is no link for Driver Download. Casually today, I called up the number that I found in their Contact Us page, and ended up speaking with the Technical team. They informed me that Windows 8 supported driver is not available at present, and they are working on providing the same by Jan/Feb 2013 time-frame.
Dumbest Trick: It is weird that, even after installing the Device Driver successfully, the BSNL EVDO shows No Device message. If you are facing this problem, then just close the Capitel Connect program from your tray and try launching it again. Believe me, this is how it works for me in Windows 8. First time when you launch Capital Connect, you will see the “No Device” message. Just close the program (from the tray, right-click and select Exit option) and once again double click on the Capitel Connect icon on your desktop. (Ensure that this will work only if you have installed the driver successfully, which means that there should not be any yellow marked exclamation icons in your Device Manager)
Sep 22 2012
BSNL Provides the Capitel Model of USB Data Card for EVDO Users. EVDO is a CDMA based 3G technology, which performs really good (at least in my area). It offers me unlimited download with Rs.750 plan (check Tariff here)The performance of this device depends on the location and CDMA support from your nearest BSNL tower.
After installing and restarting your computer, you can use the below steps to configure your data card on Windows Operating System (This works well in both Windows XP and Windows 7). Before we begin, I am assuming that you already have got the User ID and Password from BSNL office where you purchased your data card.
Update: Windows 8 users – please refer this new blog post.
1) Double click on the Capitel Connect shortcut on your desktop. It will open the Capital Connect window. If your installation was completed without any problems and if there is a CDMA signal near you, then it will show the green color 3G and 1x registered bars. The worst case you should at-least get signal in 1x bar.
2) Click the Setting icon (last one in toolbar) and select Connection Profile option.
3) The Settings dialog window will open as shown below without blank connection profiles. Click the Add button.
4) On click on Add button, you will get New Connection Profile window. Select New Profile option and click Next.
5) The next screen will ask the Connection Profile details. This is the most important part of configuration.
The entries on this screen are explained below:
Profile Name: This is mandatory. Enter some name (preferably without any spaces). This name will be shown in your Network Connections later.
Dial: enter #777 (this is again mandatory and same for all users)
Username: the value here is your 10 digits CDMA Number, which you will get from BSNL office. E.g. 9180100000
Password: this value will be same as your Username
APN: leave it blank
Auth. Type: Leave it default as NONE.
Click Finish button to save the details.
6) The new profile will be listed in Available Connection Profiles screen.
7) Single click on the newly created profile row and click Set Default button. This will add a Tick symbol in the Set Default column. Click OK to close this window. It will show you the below screen and you will now get the 1st two buttons in toolbar enabled. Click on the second 3G icon to connect.
8 ) After connection is established, the 3G toolbar will have option to disconnect as shown below. It will also display a small window at the bottom right indicating the connection status and transfer speed/volume.
You are now ready to use your BSNL EVDO Internet Connection. Happy browsing.
Jul 23 2012
Not sure if this is a technical glitch, but I am noticing that the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) is not active on 750 UL Plan in Bangalore. Since last few days, even after crossing my 6GB Limit, I am getting more than 1Mbps speed on my BSNL dataone Home UL 750 broadband plan. I have monitored my speed for last 3 days. Even after powering off my Modem, I am getting the speed of 1.5Mbps to 1.7Mbps. To double confirm, I have even tried the Speed Test with two separate websites:
BSNL Dataone Speed 750UL plan in July 2012
Earlier this year, in February 2012, BSNL revised its plans to offer double speed on certain plans, after adding the FUP. My 750 UL Plan bandwidth became 1Mbps up to 6GB and 512Kbps beyond 6GB. Below were the revised Tariff which came into effect from 1st February 2012:
BSNL revised Broadband Plans w.e.f 01-Feb-2012
Are there any such differences noticed with other BSNL broadband users in Bangalore or other cities?
UPDATE: 28th July 2012
Thanks for some of the comments. I noticed that the speed came back to normal 512kbps. Since yesterday, the speed has got reduced. Today when I tried SpeedTest, it gave me below result (which is even below 512kbps).
Now, I feel that the sudden speed increase was really a technical glitch from BSNL end. Whats your comments? Is anyone else still getting 1.5mbps speed now?
Update: 12-Sep-2012
I am getting 1.5 to 1.7Mbps even after crossing 6GB limit. I have checked this with some of my friends who are using BSNL. They have also confirmed the same.
Feb 03 2012
OK Guys, good news! I resolved this error on my own. Thanks to MSI Geek for his gyan session (more details at the end of this post). I am excited to share these steps below, which I tried below:
In my earlier blog post, I was trying to uninstall the BSNL 3G software from Windows Add/Remove Programs (in Windows 7 – Programs and Features). This time, on Windows 7, I went to Start -> All Programs -> BSNL 3G Data Card -> Uninstall.
Surprisingly, this gives a different Uninstall screen which uninstalls both the BSNL 3 G and HSPADataCard Software Package software in one shot (refer screen shot below):
(In my earlier blog post, I used the Windows Add/Remove program option to remove the- we need to uninstall these 2 programs separately)
I believe similar steps should fix the problems for Windows XP Users too.
Dec 04 2010
When I insert the BSNL 3G Datacard to my desktop PC, it automatically launches the BSNL 3G Software and on the Top Left Hand side I see these status messages “Device Detected“, “Starting“, “SIM Ready” and finally “No Device“. It then pops up a notification message “No response from device, please reboot the device” as shown below:
I had got the same error on the 2nd day after buying this product, but had managed to resolve this by reinstalling the software. This error is back now and the re-installation is not helping me. The customer care has only 1 response – visit the BSNL office! Does anyone has any alternate way to troubleshoot this problem?
I am using Teracom USB Datacard 7.2mbps which comes with software version LW273v1.2 on Windows 7.
Update 6-Dec-2010 (Solved):
My problem is resolved now. This morning I went to BSNL Office (Bangalore) with a written complaint. The concern person was very helpful. She tried my Data Card in one of the system at their office. It gave the same “No Device” error on their system. She immediately gave me a replacement. The new Data Card is of same make and it is working fine 
Nov 14 2010
This Diwali, BSNL’s 3G Offer Ad attracted me to go for a 3G SIM. Starting this blog post, I plan to write couple of posts to share my experience with BSNL 3G service. To start with, my 3G requirement is only for a Data Card because I have no plans to upgrade my HTC Touch Viva Phone which is not capable of 3G. BSNL 3G Data Card meets my requirement; as it can be used as a replacement for any of your existing broadband service.
Here are some guidelines which will help you avoid round trips of BSNL Office (or any other Govt office… LOL):
As per the BSNL officials, the new 3G SIM will take about 24 hours to get activated. After the SIM gets activated, to make calls you need to perform recharge using FRC (First Recharge Coupon) of Rs.120. The new 3G SIM can be either used in 2G phone or 3G phone. It can also be inserted into the USB Data Card. You will be notified about the Activation through SMS.
In my next post, I will share my experience of 3G Data Card installation on a Desktop with Windows operating system.
Jun 01 2010
In April 2010, BSNL introduced promotional offer of Double Speed to all its Unlimited Plan broadband customers. This promotional offer was available only for the month of April 2010.
Yesterday (31st May 2010) midnight, some of the 256kbps Broadband Users are reporting double speed around the country. They are finding that their Broadband speed is doubled to 512kbps. The existing 512kbps users are not seeing any change in their speed.
Recently AirTel has upgraded all its 256kbps users to 512kbps. They plan to offer Broadband plans 512kbps onwards. There is a rumor that BSNL is also going to follow the same, and that is why the 256kbps users are noticing double speed.
Nothing is confirmed officially by BSNL; there is no news on the company’s official website. Is this a permanent Double Speed for 256kbps users or is it again a limited time Promotional Offer! Lets wait for the official news soon.
Update – 01-Jun-2010 01:35pm: Some of the 256kbps Users are reporting that they are not getting any more double speed now. Was the Double Speed offer only for few hours to certain users last night? There is still no Official news on BSNL website.
Update – 02-Jun-2010 06:51pm: Finally BSNL reveals the Broadband Double Speed offer details on their official website – Change in the nomenclature and Upgradation of Speed/Bandwidth of certain Home Unlimited Broadband.
Mar 31 2010
After 2 days Airtel introduced its 30Mbps and 50Mbps plans; its time for BSNL to chase its competitors. Today, BSNL introduced 75 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans for both Home and Business users.
75Mbps – Rs.8,500 per month
100Mbps – Rs.9,999 per month (WOW that used to be LAN/Ethernet speed)
Although the rates are very competitive, but the download limit still exist for the Unlimited Download users.
The detailed tariff chart is available at this link. Its time to buy bigger Hard Disks! Thanks for visiting.
Update (23-Mar-2013):
I realized few months that my above joke has become reality. BSNL now offers a product called FTTH Broadband. Check the below link for details on their plans which are up to 100 Mbps speed.
http://www.bsnl.co.in/opencms/bsnl/BSNL/services/broadband/bb_ftth.html
May 03 2009
Well, this was the News on printed edition of DNA Sunday Page 3. To verify these new schemes, I logged into BSNL Main Portal, but could not see an such new scheme. Immediately, my next step was to verify this news on BSNL Bangalore Portal. As the website was loading, my avast anti-virus came up with these Trojan Horse Alerts:
- Brain LOGs